meander 1 of 2

verb

Definition of meandernext
as in to wander
to move about from place to place aimlessly theatergoers meandering around the lobby waiting for the play to start

Synonyms & Similar Words

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meander

2 of 2

noun

as in tangle

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb meander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meander are ramble, roam, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When would ramble be a good substitute for meander?

The words ramble and meander can be used in similar contexts, but ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When might roam be a better fit than meander?

The meanings of roam and meander largely overlap; however, roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of meander?

While in some cases nearly identical to meander, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is traipse a more appropriate choice than meander?

Although the words traipse and meander have much in common, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

When is it sensible to use wander instead of meander?

The synonyms wander and meander are sometimes interchangeable, but wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of meander
Verb
An excellent choice for meandering to the city’s biggest tourist draws. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 The first meandering rivers and floodplains developed as tree roots stabilized soil and prevented its erosion, while at the same time locking away vast amounts of atmospheric carbon into the nascent soils. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 While recent litigation has held social media companies responsible for harms to users, federal legislation of social media has meandered and AI legislation has lagged. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 This flowy trail meanders through shade and sun and is suited for a range of abilities, from families with young children to trail runners looking for a quick workout. — Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meander
  1. wander
  2. tangle
  3. roam
  4. snarl
  5. stroll
  6. web
  7. drift
  8. labyrinth
Verb
  • Its presence adds another reason to wander in, whether a visitor arrives with a collector’s eye or simple curiosity.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • During a quick shift, skaters have far less time for their minds to wander.
    — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wander
Noun
  • The shampoo didn’t strip the tester’s already-dry hair, and a two-minute conditioner left her tangles smooth enough to finger-comb.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The double-deck Wacker Drive obliterated a tangle of buildings and produce stalls in favor of a broad Beaux Arts thoroughfare by the Chicago River.
    — Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of tangle
Verb
  • There are roaming partners that exist that these telcos still rely on.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026
  • While dinosaurs roamed the earth, giant monsters roamed the sea.
    — October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of roam
Noun
  • His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This year’s Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer with closures, travel snarls and record gas prices in California.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of snarl
Verb
  • Moments later, a male lion strolled out of the thin trees behind me, settling by the pond for a drink.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Over the next two hours, friends stroll by, on bike and on foot, stopping to catch up for a while before continuing on.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of stroll
Noun
  • Kinder Morgan operates a dominant, interconnected web of steel pipelines that links oversupplied shale basins directly to major demand centers and Gulf Coast export complexes.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The full 12-company delegation spans original story IP in drama, film, animation and web novels, as well as generative AI, interactive entertainment and fan platforms.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of web
Verb
  • For the past 15 years, Ishmael Butler and his cast of collaborators have drifted further and further into the outer reaches, deconstructing and reassembling hip-hop, jazz, and kosmische conventions into sprawling, proggy rhapsodies.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Meta stock plunged after the hyperscaler drifted into negative free cash flow, while China entered bear market territory with Alibaba’s stock dropping 6%, as investors questioned the return on its AI investments.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of drift
Noun
  • In postwar Spain, a young girl discovers a mysterious labyrinth and a magical world while living under the rule of her brutal stepfather.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Outdoors, we were greeted by sculptures from Joan Miró’s labyrinth to Alberto Giacometti’s courtyard.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of labyrinth

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Cite this Entry

“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meander. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meander

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